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Grammy-nominated alternative rock band Switchfoot has cut ties with Columbia Records after several years of “trying to make things work” and will spend its “newfound freedom” making music independently.

“We are thankful for the incredible success that our partnership has produced over the years, yet within this ever changing business there can arise differences in vision and goals,” the band stated in a weblog entry to their fans last week. “These differences have now come to a point where we feel like parting ways would be best for us, and best for Sony.”

Switchfoot, which has long claimed to be “Christian by faith, not by genre,” had signed with Columbia Records – the premier subsidiary label of Sony BMG Music Entertainment, Inc. – in 2003 shortly after recording their fourth album, The Beautiful Letdown. Through Columbia, the band was able release the album to a wider audience and sell faster than their previous albums.

Two years after their major label debut, Switchfoot received five Dove Award nominations and won four – including Artist of the Year. The band that year also released their most recent album, Oh! Gravity, which has earned considerable critical acclaim under the Columbia/Sony BMG label.

Despite their success with Columbia, bandmembers stated, “As a hands-on band, we feel so grateful for our newfound freedom.”

“We are continually dreaming up ways to bridge the gap between the audience and the stage; this feels like an incredible step in that direction.”

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The band is currently working on a new album, which may come out as soon as spring 2008.